Things You Should Know About Inspecting Your Car In The State Of Virginia
If you live in the state of Virginia, the law requires you to have a vehicle safety inspection at a state inspection station once a year. The examination is designed to check the condition of vehicles on the road to ensure they are safe for the operator and other people sharing the roads with them. There are some things you need to know about the VA state inspection process to ensure it goes smoothly.
When Is Inspection Due
In the state of Virginia, your VA state inspection is due on the last day of the month of your birthday. If you were born on July 1, you have until the last day of July to get your car inspected, and every driver with that birth month will also have that same time frame.
One benefit to using this system is that a driver who takes their car in at the beginning of the month can take the time needed for repairs if the vehicle fails the inspection. This is not a grace period, but planning ahead and getting the inspection early can make repairs more manageable with time to spread the work and cost over the month before your inspection expires.
What Is Included In The Inspection
Your VA state inspection covers every mechanical part of your vehicle. However, not every aspect will cause a failure of the inspection. A worn belt, for instance, may not fail the car, but the inspector will let you know if they find it because it could break and leave you stranded on the road.
Typical inspection items include the tires, lights, mirrors, wipers, and glass on the car. After these items are checked, the inspector will check the brakes, suspension, steering, and exhaust under the vehicle. In Virginia, the horn must work, and there can not be any warning lights illuminated on the dash when the vehicle is running. All the mechanic systems must be in good working condition, or the vehicle will fail and require repair to obtain the inspection sticker for the year.
Check with your local VA state inspection station to get a detailed list of the items they will check before taking your car in. This will allow you to do an inspection first, so there are no surprises, and if you suspect something may fail, you can repair it beforehand.
Emissions Inspections
VA state inspections require emissions testing on some cars and trucks. Virginia requires this testing on vehicles in specific counties, and the testing must be completed every two years.
If you live in Virginia, you should check with your local DMV, state inspection station, or the state police for more info to determine if you need to have an emission inspection for your vehicle.